Player Watch #44: Cameron Zurhaar - [AFL.com] NM offers 5yr deal - CZ interest from SYD/GC - CZ mgr says 'wants to see improvement' & 'team success'

[Tectonic]

Cam Zurhaar is hell-bent on making a name for himself off the back of his physicality and attack on the ball.

Stats have become less of a focus for the North rookie, with more effort going into his pressure acts and one-percenters.

“I’ve been putting a big emphasis on making sure my opponent knows I’m present around the footy through my forward pressure and physicality," he said.

“That physicality is massive for me, and I think that’s why I get a game. It comes naturally to me, but I want to improve on it every single week to become a real force in the forward-line and bring all the pressure I can.

“Pressure’s obviously a big thing for me, so I just want to get as many pressure acts as possible, but also get on the scoreboard.

“Stats such as pressure acts help us measure that. I try and get as many of those as possible, but then if I’m not doing that, hopefully I’m getting goals and assists.”

While he was arguably one of North’s best in Round 5, the number 44 didn’t quite see it the same way.

“I probably need to lift,” Zurhaar admitted.

“Every week there’s always room for improvement.

“I had a pretty good pressure game in my first game back, but my match last week wasn’t too crash-hot.

“I managed to get on the scoreboard however, and get a few more touches than normal.”

The hard-nosed Roo finished the game with 14 disposals and 6 marks, which came from spending a relatively large amount of time in the middle of the ground.

In similar fashion to last season, North has used Zurhaar in the ruck at times in a bid to relieve Todd Goldstein.

“I was playing ruck a little bit so I managed to get up the ground and be on the end of those hit-up kicks,” he said.

“I managed to be a bit of link through the midfield into the forward 50 which was good.

“If playing ruck gets me a game, then I’m happy to play it.

“If I don’t win the tap, which is likely, I’m going to put more pressure on as another midfielder.”

Hungry

 

[Black2Blue]

Hungry

Yep, we need plenty of that hunger.

Not as happy about this bit - "Stats such as pressure acts help us measure that. I try and get as many of those as possible, but then if I’m not doing that, hopefully I’m getting goals and assists.” This says plenty about the coach, when forwards see goals as a lower priority. Got a bit of the JMac script about it too. We need him hungry to hurt and just as hungry for a goal. We need our small forwards kicking occasional bags of 3 or 4 rather than the 0 or 1 we are getting this season. The goal's are the ticket to regular games instead of the ruck work.

Coach: "Your role is to focus on pressure acts and creating a contest in the ruck."
Zur: "What about getting hold of the ball, Mr Scotts?"
Coach: "That's the role of senior players. Just stick to your role young fella."
Zur: "What about goals?"
Coach: "There's just one goal, for every player to stick to the game plan. The rest will take care of itself."

 

[ferball]

Yep, we need plenty of that hunger.

Not as happy about this bit - "Stats such as pressure acts help us measure that. I try and get as many of those as possible, but then if I’m not doing that, hopefully I’m getting goals and assists.” This says plenty about the coach, when forwards see goals as a lower priority. Got a bit of the JMac script about it too. We need him hungry to hurt and just as hungry for a goal. We need our small forwards kicking occasional bags of 3 or 4 rather than the 0 or 1 we are getting this season. The goal's are the ticket to regular games instead of the ruck work.

Coach: "Your role is to focus on pressure acts and creating a contest in the ruck."
Zur: "What about getting hold of the ball, Mr Scotts?"
Coach: "That's the role of senior players. Just stick to your role young fella."
Zur: "What about goals?"
Coach: "There's just one goal, for every player to stick to the game plan. The rest will take care of itself."

Maybe. He could just be acknowledging that physicality is one his major strengths and he wants to use it. The goals as an afterthought is more because obviously everyone wants to score as well. In the sentence before that one he says:

“Pressure’s obviously a big thing for me, so I just want to get as many pressure acts as possible, but also get on the scoreboard."

Almost as if he's read BF and thinks our forwards don't score enough either. If he'd said:

"Stats such as pressure acts help us measure that. I try and get as many of those as possible, but then if I’m not doing that, hopefully I’m getting goals and assists anyway.”

Would you feel the same way?

 

[Black2Blue]

Maybe. He could just be acknowledging that physicality is one his major strengths and he wants to use it. The goals as an afterthought is more because obviously everyone wants to score as well. In the sentence before that one he says:

“Pressure’s obviously a big thing for me, so I just want to get as many pressure acts as possible, but also get on the scoreboard."

Almost as if he's read BF and thinks our forwards don't score enough either. If he'd said:

"Stats such as pressure acts help us measure that. I try and get as many of those as possible, but then if I’m not doing that, hopefully I’m getting goals and assists anyway.”

Would you feel the same way?

I'm not wanting to have a dig at him and loving what he is bring to the team with his physicality and understand that he wouldn't be experienced in front of the microphone. It's just that his words convey the mindset of the club. We hear that goals are not the measure of Turner's game, that TT is applauded for his defensive pressure too, like Cam. But surely the club would be targeting 15 goals a game and I would love to know where they think they are going to come from when all our small forwards simply play defensive roles. Scoreboard pressure remains the most important form of pressure and watching the last 2 games made it clear that none of Zurhaar, Turner, TT, or Simpkin looked confident shooting for goal. Why aren't they encouraged to be aggressive in their attack on the ball and player and just as hungry for a bag of goals?

 

[dogboy]

I enjoy watching every contest that Cam is involved in and he has a genuine crack at centre bounces too. The bloke seems to love the jumper so 21 more of these types on game day and we are a real chance. Nothing wrong with pure aggression at all.

 

[Themanbun]

Love Cam's work and don't completely hate his rucking. He has a bit of **** about him, which we desperately need.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Has more presence in the ruck than Goldstein

Says a lot about both

 

[Snake_Baker]

Maybe. He could just be acknowledging that physicality is one his major strengths and he wants to use it. The goals as an afterthought is more because obviously everyone wants to score as well. In the sentence before that one he says:

“Pressure’s obviously a big thing for me, so I just want to get as many pressure acts as possible, but also get on the scoreboard."

Almost as if he's read BF and thinks our forwards don't score enough either. If he'd said:

"Stats such as pressure acts help us measure that. I try and get as many of those as possible, but then if I’m not doing that, hopefully I’m getting goals and assists anyway.”

Would you feel the same way?

There's just no bullshit in him.

Sooner or later our SJW element will turn on him for some ridiculous reason. Back it in.

 

[Tectonic]

There's just no bullshit in him.

Sooner or later our SJW element will turn on him for some ridiculous reason. Back it in.

Mate you don't need to inject the sjw Boogeyman into every thread, I'm as bleeding heart as they come but it doesn't stop me wanting a streak of campaigner in my teams forwards.

 

[andana]

Kicked two goals in two games. Better than a lot of others.

“Pressure’s obviously a big thing for me, so I just want to get as many pressure acts as possible, but also get on the scoreboard.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Mate you don't need to inject the sjw Boogeyman into every thread, I'm as bleeding heart as they come but it doesn't stop me wanting a streak of campaigner in my teams forwards.

Why not, it injects itself in to every nook & cranny of contemporary society.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Perfectly up to page 44.

 

[ferball]

I'm not wanting to have a dig at him and loving what he is bring to the team with his physicality and understand that he wouldn't be experienced in front of the microphone. It's just that his words convey the mindset of the club. We hear that goals are not the measure of Turner's game, that TT is applauded for his defensive pressure too, like Cam. But surely the club would be targeting 15 goals a game and I would love to know where they think they are going to come from when all our small forwards simply play defensive roles. Scoreboard pressure remains the most important form of pressure and watching the last 2 games made it clear that none of Zurhaar, Turner, TT, or Simpkin looked confident shooting for goal. Why aren't they encouraged to be aggressive in their attack on the ball and player and just as hungry for a bag of goals?

One more word (anyway) and that wouldn't be the case.

But I agree words are important and there are plenty of other words coming out of the club that are equivocal. Which is the opposite of what they should be.

Royal Flush and I were talking about this the other day. I reckon it stems from not singing "North Melbourne will be Premiers in (insert current season here)" instead of "just you wait and see."

Personally I think if we changed that little thing on its own we'd see an immediate turn around (of course they have to win games to sing the song so lets get that bit sorted first.)

 

[groo]

His one punch forward in the ruck is of more benefit than Goldy's 30 predictable taps to his own feet.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Love this bloke. Just need to pump games into him.

 

[The Nostradamus]

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Keep pumping games into him.

Few bad kicks tonight but the intent to hurt is always there

 

[Billy Not Really]

Beast. Holds his ground as well as Cunnington, has great read of the ball when in chaotic play, has real good run. So many positives.

Keep this guy in.

 

[The Dingrel]

Beast. Holds his ground as well as Cunnington, has great read of the ball when in chaotic play, has real good run. So many positives.

Keep this guy in.

Reminds me of archer in a lot of ways. Was great tonight. Can tidy up disposal a bit but will come with experience

 

[Billy Not Really]

Reminds me of archer in a lot of ways. Was great tonight. Can tidy up disposal a bit but will come with experience

I'm always hesitant to throw the Archer comparison but he really is deserving of the Number 11.

 

[King Corey]

A rare positive from the season so far.

Dangerous both in attacking the man as well as trying more damaging kicking options.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Love what he's bringing, just needs to pick up a few more touches. That will come with improved fitness.

 

[Heaps of fun]

Incredibly picked up three goal assists with the way he was kicking. Someone said he reads it better than anyone, great call. Natural footballer.

I thought he was disappointing in the intraclub and pre-season matches but goes to another level on the big stage. Would love to know what a different coach could get out of him.

 

[The Nostradamus]

I really want to see this guy and Garner in the same team

Quickly becoming one of my faves

 

[rm3504]

I really want to see this guy and Garner in the same team

Quickly becoming one of my faves

TTT, LDU, larkey, Scott and zurhaar need to play out the rest of the year
Mckay too
Let’s see what we uncover at year end